Preston Avenuehttp://www.readthehook.com/taxonomy/term/6118/all
enFrom Russia with love: New restaurant/nightclub comes to Prestonhttp://www.readthehook.com/108544/russia-love-new-restaurantnightclub-comes-preston
<p>Attempts to revive the former <strong>Outback Lodge</strong> location on <strong>Preston Avenue</strong> seem to have been going on ever since the former roadhouse/restaurant closed in 2009. For a brief time, it was a place called <strong>Deuces Lounge</strong>, a restaurant and music joint that the owner predicted would be "the gem of Charlottesville." Now some new dreamers have taken over the space and turned it into a Russian/Turkish restaurant and late-night club called <strong>M&amp;M Lounge and Restaurant.&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p>"We know that we will make the best Eastern European food in Charlottesville," declare owners and brothers, <strong>Mansur</strong> and <strong>Muzaffar Suleymanov</strong>.</p>
<p>Well, of course, that's optimistic thinking, something anybody who plans to open a restaurant in this town should have in abundance, otherwise the daunting task of trying to make a name for yourself here, where there's a good restaurant around every corner, would seem insurmountable. But the Suleymanovs have surmounted obstacles far more daunting than opening a restaurant. Seven years ago, the Russian emigrants moved their entire family (mother, father, uncle, etc., who will also help run the restaurant) here with the help of the <strong>International Rescue Committee in Charlottesville</strong>, leaving behind a retail business they operated in Russia for a fresh start in America.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Recently, <em>Dish</em> had a chance to taste some dishes from M&amp;M Restaurant and Lounge, and they were mighty tasty. Especially their signature appetizer <strong>piroshki</strong>, an oval-shaped Russian pastry filled with beef, cheese, and spinach. Of course, we also tried their Turkish chicken kebabs, marinated for a full day and grilled with onions, peppers, and vinegar. So tender!</p>
<p>Other items include Russian borscht soup, Georgian-style dumplings, and Balkan baklava. They also have Russian krabovyi salad, a traditional dish made with crab meat, corn, and rice. And they will bake their own Turkish bread, a soft, thin leavened bread that you can roll things up in.&nbsp;</p>
<p>As an added bonus, it also appears we'll be getting a Euro-style night club. The Suleymanovs plan to launch a late night scene in the big space, complete with a 2,500 square-foot dance floor with club lighting, plus a separate billiard room with sofas and ottomans for relaxing, which has an additional 1,500 square-foot dance floor.&nbsp;One of the night club rooms could be open as early as this Thursday, but they're still waiting on licenses for the other space in the building.</p>
<p>"In Europe, the nightlife is very exciting," says Mansur, "and we want to bring that European-style night life to Charlottesville."&nbsp;</p>
<p>The Suleymanovs also promise to have metal detectors and tight security in the parking lot.&nbsp;</p>
<p>"There will be no problems like the Outback used to have," declares Muzaffar.</p>
<p>Said in a thick Russian accent, reminiscent (to an American ear of a villain in a James Bond film), we're inclined to believe him.</p>
http://www.readthehook.com/108544/russia-love-new-restaurantnightclub-comes-preston#comments_BreakingNews_FoodFeaturedM&M Lounge and RestaurantPreston AvenuerestaurantRussianThe DishTue, 23 Oct 2012 15:36:38 +0000Dave McNair108544 at http://www.readthehook.com